HOUSE calls for NAMI

editors note 12/10/2008: T-shirts are no longer available.

The hit television dramaHOUSEis helping NAMI.

At a packed press conference on the Los Angeles stage where the show is produced, cast crew and producers launched a promotion this week to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and its work in education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness. View photos from the press conference.

Right now—for a limited time only—T-shirts from the show are being sold on-line for $19.95 at www.housecharitytees.com.They areemblazoned with the phrase “Everybody Lies,” one of the best-known “House-isms” often uttered by the brilliant, but cynical diagnostician Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie, the star of the show.

Hugh Laurie autographs a t-shirt for the online auction to benefit NAMI

Beginning May 1, an on-line auction will run for seven days to sell five special autographed items:

-- One t-shirt signed by the entire cast

-- One cast photo signed by entire cast

-- One House Season 1 DVD signed by Hugh Laurie

-- One House Season 2 DVD signed by Hugh Laurie

-- One original House script signed by entire cast

All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts, as well as from the online auction, will be donated to NAMI. T-shirt sales end Monday, June 4.

Fans of HOUSE will recognize the “House-ism” and are the primary audience to which the promotion is being targeted. In the process, many will learn about NAMI, possibly for the first time, and receive a message to care about mental illness.

“Everybody Lies” is also message about stigma. Myths surround mental illness. In the context of the TV show, the phrase is a reference to the fact that people who are being diagnosed—relative to any illness--often withhold information because they are afraid, ashamed, embarrassed, or conflicted. That is a consequence of stigma, a familiar experience formany NAMI members. Too often, Hollywood has been indifferent to stigma concerns. This time, the producers and cast of a TV show stepped forward to help

“Mental illness is stigmatized and misunderstood in our society, and we’re trying to do something about that,” saidHOUSEexecutive producer Katie Jacobs. “We’re very fortunate to be celebrating an extremely successful third season forHOUSE, and we’d like to give something back to a cause we feel is both worthy and overlooked.”

Hugh Laurie and HOUSE cast mate Lisa Edelstein model the t-shirt

“HOUSEis making an enormous contribution to public education by lending the show's celebrity profile to raise funds,” said NAMI executive director Mike Fitzpatrick. “On behalf of every individual and family who live with major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, NAMI thanks the show and cast. They are making a difference in people's lives.”

HOUSE stars Laurie as an infectious disease specialist and brilliant diagnostician who thrives on the challenge of solving impossible medical mysteries, but will do anything to avoid actual contact with his patients. HOUSE is the #1 scripted series on FOX and was recently renewed for a fourth season. HOUSE is from Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.